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The Fleetwood is a 24 hour diner, founded by Donald Reid and opened March 17, 1949, located at 300 South Ashely Street, in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan.

History

Donald Reid built what was orignally called The Dag Wood, until 1971 when it was renamed The Fleetwood, from a kit. Before he could build it, he had to petition for a change in the building code requiring masonry. On August 2, 1948, city council passed an amendment allowing metal construction for new buildings of 100 square feet or less and single story, for resturants or stores only. The cost to build the diner was $14,000. Two months after opening, Reid placed tables on the sidewalk and opened Ann Arbor's first sidewalk cafe. It's most well known meal is their Hippie Hash, which is hashbrowns, green perrers, onions, and fetta cheese, with or without meat. In March of 2000 Hippie Hash started being served at other area resturants. The interior of The Fleetwood has bumber stickers all over the metal walls, anouncing bands, social movements, organizations and events, and the restroom has a wealth of graffiti in it. Due to Michigan laws The Fleetwood in non-smoking today, but in the past everyone including the chef and waitperson.

Owners

Donald Reid 1949-1966
Robert Brown 1966-?
Mark Hodesh 1971-?
Rich Alford ?-1980
Kaye Dumsick 1980-1983
Bill Close & Chris Andrews 1984-1989
Kay Ferrell 1989-1991
George Fotiadis & Adi Demiri 1992-Present

Culture

With patrons and staff alike it is very common to see unique tattoos and hairstyles. The cook frequently sings and juggles. After midnight on weekends The Fleetwood is packed with post-bar patrons. While the day crowd has a great deal of staff patron conversations, but at the same time those wanting a quiet meal are left alone. The Partons vary everyone from downtown prefessionals and shop owners to students and senior citizens.

Reviews

Trip Advisor

84% recommened
4 out of 5 stars
Number 20 of 312 resturants in Ann Arbor
-Authentic Ann Arbor experience. Attracts everyone from pierced and tattooed hipsters, college students sobering up after a night on the town, nomadic street performers, and culinary adventurers; great place to people watch and get in touch with Ann Arbors creative community.
-Good for late nights after the bars close down, especially in the summer when you can sit outside
-Orginal Hippie Hash and omelets keep me coming back, cheap eats, vegetarian friendly. Not most comfortable seating in town, for sure, but colorful wait staff and the building is a great piece of America.

Yelp

3.5 out of 5 stars
-A few things changed in the last year; the guy cooking my hash isn't smoking a cigerette while on the job, they take credit cards, slightly higher prices (probally because they take credit cards). Don't worry, the hippie has, people watching, and spotty service are still the same!
-My favorite resturant on earth. I miss living in walking distance from there. Whenever I go back to Ann arbor to vist i go to The Fleetwood as soon as possible.
-An Ann Arbor stable. The place looks like they parked an airstream on the corner of the road, kicked the tires off,, and said this looks like a good sport for a resturant. The staff can be rude, slow, it's not the cleanest, etc, but it's not the dive bar of resturants. So enter at your own risk. if it was anything other then the fantastically hippie, werid, anything goes spot that it is, it just wouldn't be as cool.

Hollywood

The Fleetwood Diner was one of Drew Barrymore’s favorite places to eat at when she was in Ann Arbor to film the move Whip It. Many of the cast and crew members became frequent costumers at The Fleetwood during all the filming.

Awards

1999 - Metro Times Best Detroit: Best diner, Best Breakfast
2000 - Metro Times: Best of Detriot
2006 - Ann Arbor News Readers Choice Awards: Best Townie Hangout
2007 - Ann Arbor News Current Readers Picks: Best of Washtenaw County, Best Late Night Eatery
2008 - Ann Arbor News Current Readers Picks: Best Of 2008
2009 - Ann Arbor News Currents Readers Choice Awards: Best Cheap Eats